Man Utd legend Wayne Rooney ‘agrees deal’ to become manager of Championship club

Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has reportedly agreed a deal to become the next manager of Championship club Birmingham City.

On Sunday, Rooney mutually agreed to leave his position as D.C. United head coach after they missed out on the MLS play-offs for a fourth consecutive year despite a 2-0 win over New York City FC.

Ex-Leeds United man Mateusz Klich scored for Rooney’s side with Chris Durkin adding the second to move D.C. United into ninth in the MLS Eastern Conference standings. However, it was only their 10th league win of the season with the side drawing 10 and losing 14 of their other 24 MLS outings this term.

Speaking of his departure, Rooney said: “It’s the right time. I’ve done everything I can to get this club into the play-offs. It’s not a single thing that’s happened. It’s about timing. New job? I’ve nothing lined up.”

However, Football Insider have reported the ex-United and Everton man has agreed to join Birmingham after they parted company with John Eustace on Monday. Ashley Cole and John O’Shea are also set to join him in the midlands.

The former United forward is the club’s all-time leading goalscorer, with 253 goals in 559 appearances at Old Trafford between 2004 and 2017 as he played a big role during the success of the club under Sir Alex Ferguson between 2004 and 2013. After leaving Old Trafford he joined boyhood club Everton and then moved to D.C. United as a player but returned to England to finish his career with Derby County.

He managed the Rams but resigned in 2022 before making the move back to D.C. United, this time as a head coach. Birmingham defeated West Brom in their last Championship outing, recording back-to-back wins after a 4-1 victory over Huddersfield Town in their previous fixture.

They sit sixth in the Championship after 11 games. Rooney was linked with the position last month with reports Eustace was being lined up by Rangers. The Ibrox club sacked Michael Beale last weekend and Eustace has emerged as the bookmakers’ favourite for the position after leaving Birmingham.

Confirming Eustace’s departure, a Birmingham statement read: “The club would like to thank John for his contribution. His dedication and work ethic was evident throughout his time in B9 and he will always be welcomed back to St. Andrew’s. A new first team manager will be announced in the coming days who will be responsible for creating an identity and clear ‘no fear’ playing style that all Birmingham City teams will adopt and embrace. The club will be issuing no further comment at this time.”